Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse Latest News: 'Situation Very Fragile', Says NHIDCL Project Director

Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Updates: The rescue operations at the Uttarakhand tunnel to save the 40 trapped workers have entered the sixth day today. Since the November 12 collapse, the rescue workers have been facing a stiff challenge to make way to the workers trapped inside as rubble keeps falling and undoing the advances made. Meanwhile, the workers who ended up seeing the darkness instead of Diwali's light are starting at uncertainty and are bound to face physical and mental challenges due to the accident. Medical professionals have stressed the importance of thorough rehabilitation for the workers who were trapped, expressing concerns that the extended period of confinement might require extensive mental and physical recovery procedures. Meanwhile, another drilling machine is being airlifed from Indore.

"We have reached 24 metres inside which is a good situation. We are trying to reach the other end as soon as possible...We are airlifting another machine from Indore, it will reach here tomorrow morning," said NHIDCL Tunnel Project Director Anshu Manish Khalko. 

He further said that the situation is very fragile and equilibrium needs to be maintained. "But when it seems that nature is fragile, there might be more vibrations, where equilibrium needs to be maintained, the situation is very fragile. The morale of the people also needs to be maintained... The food and water supply and the psychological state of the stuck workers are well... They are being talked to by psychological experts... All of them are fit physically and mentally..." he said.

Meanwhile, the International Tunnelling and underground space association has offered assistance to the Indian rescue team engaged in the evacuation operation of 44 labourers trapped after a tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi.

Uttarkashi SP Arpan Yaduvanshi said that four pipes have been weilded and work is underway round the clock. "If there are no hindrances by the debris, we will be able to make the tunnel and rescue them at the earliest...We can't give you a deadline as to when will the operation be complete but the technical workers are working hard round the clock and this will conclude at the earliest. All of them will be rescued...," he said.

सुरंग में छठा दिन.. और कब तक ?#Uttarkashi #Tunnel @supreetanchor @singhanjali pic.twitter.com/h5I4IQp6KY — Zee News (@ZeeNews) November 17, 2023

According to latest update, drilling upto a depth of 25 metre has been completed after which the machine hit a metal part inside. Efforts are being made to cut through the metal using a gas cutter and the drilling work has been halted for the timebeing.

#UPDATE | Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand: Morning visuals of Silkyara Tunnel. 4 pipes have been laid after removing the debris through the Ogar machine. After removing the debris, about 70 meters of pipe will have to be laid, and then the process of evacuating the workers will begin. pic.twitter.com/CWWIB2KrvU — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 17, 2023

The collapse of a section of the Silkyara Tunnel on November 12 led to the entrapment of 40 construction workers amid the rubble. Specialized rescue teams from Thailand and Norway, including the team renowned for their successful rescue of children trapped in a Thailand cave back in 2018, have united efforts to support the ongoing rescue mission.

According to the latest update, the technicians are drilling the hole with the Auger machine and so far, they have drilled over 24 metres into the debris. The Auger drilling machine is known for its effectiveness and strength. It is anticipated to carve through 70 meters of rock, a significant portion of which collapsed from the roof during the rescue operation, within an estimated time frame of 12 to 15 hours. If there are no further hurdles, the workers may be taken out either by the end of the day today or early tomorrow.

Colonel Deepak Patil, heading the rescue operations for the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), mentioned, "Union Minister General VK Singh (Retd) visited the site and interacted with the labourers. He provided assurance, which was well received by the labourers." Patil also highlighted that drilling activities have recommenced, significantly accelerating the pace of the rescue operations.